Hispasonic: Product of the year

“Where Focusrite have laid down the challenge to other manufacturers, though is in the sound quality of these devices, which offer audio specifications previously unheard of in this price bracket.”

“…the Focusrite Clarett 8Pre offers outstanding value for money (really), the latency claims seem to stand up to scrutiny and the sound is gorgeous, especially when used with the air option. Add to this the ease of set-up and you have a killer offering.”

“I was absolutely able to record and monitor through my DAW without noticeable delay.”

“A very solid interface for a whole host of applications – very highly recommended indeed.”

Hannah V with Clarett 2Pre

We checked in with Hannah V during a recording session of the track "Waltzer" with vocalist Cherri V and had a chat about her career, her challenges and her successes as an electronic music producer. She demonstrates how the Clarett 2Pre is perfect for tracking vocals whilst monitoring with heavy plug-in processing.

Two New Clarett Mic Pres with extra ‘Air’

The mic pres have been designed especially for the Clarett range, with plenty of gain, yet low noise and distortion. In addition, they include a special “Air” feature that switches in an analogue model of the classic transformer-based Focusrite ISA mic pre. The Instrument inputs also feature extra headroom to handle the loudest pickup.

Precision Digital Conversion

Clarett features Focusrite’s class-leading 24/192 conversion: with up to 119dB dynamic range, Clarett offers the cleanest way yet to get music in and out of your DAW.

The clarity of Clarett

The Clarett range is acclaimed for its sound quality. It's due partly to Clarett's specially-designed mic pres with the unique "Air" effect, adding air and clarity especially to vocals and acoustic instruments. Plus Focusrite's precision digital conversion, carefully balancing noise floor, dynamic range, frequency response and distortion for the best possible sound to and from your DAW.

We invited audio engineering professionals to a blind listening test at Riverside Studios in Berlin to compare the sound of Clarett to that of the Apollo 8p, from Universal Audio, makers of the Apollo Duo; and the Apogee Ensemble. What did they discover? Watch the Thunderbolt Interface Shootout and find out!

Plug Straight In

Do not underestimate the quality of the Clarett range DI. This newly designed instrument input allows for even the hottest of guitar pick-ups to be recorded without clipping, and the performance specifications easily match some of the finest dedicated DI’s on the market. Coupled with the low latency environment, now you can get the most out of recording through your favourite amp sim and guitar effect plug-ins in real time.

Revolutionise your Workflow

Clarett’s ultra-low round-trip latency completely transforms your workflow. If you’re used to having to build two different mixes – one using input monitoring to overdub, the other using the DAW for playback – the good news is that now, one is enough. Build your mix on the DAW and use it whether you’re overdubbing (monitoring the input you’re recording with the new Focusrite Control software mixer) or playing back, with all your plugins in place, all the time. Use your favourite plugins while recording too – whether it’s reverb on a vocal, a guitar amp simulator, or even virtual instruments live on stage.

Intuitive, Easy to Use Software Mixer and Sweet Sounding Plug-ins

Focusrite Control is a brand new software mixer designed for easy configuration of monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, Focusrite Control offers a traditional mixer workflow and allows immediate access to internal hardware functions. Also included is a sweet sounding plug-in collection comprising Softube's world-class Time and Tone Bundle, with TSAR-1R Reverb, Tube Delay, Saturation Knob and Drawmer S73 Intelligent Master Processor. This is complemented by the Red 2 & Red 3 AAX, AU & VST Plug-in Suite, which accurately models Focusrite's classic Red range equalizer and compressor hardware.

The Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio is included for free with all Focusrite audio interfaces. One full licence per account is available for existing customers as well as new customers.

'Gain Halos’ help keep levels in check

The front panel inputs include Focusrite’s signature “Gain Halo” – an illuminated ring around the gain control that lights up green when there’s signal and red when it’s too high. There’s a main monitor knob plus a high-power headphone output with its own volume control.

The world is full of innovative software companies creating a wealth of powerful plug-ins. With such variety, you’ll want to find exactly the right plug-ins for you, and use them in real time, thanks to Clarett’s ultra-low latency environment. To help you on this mission, we’ve formed the ‘Plug-in Collective’, working with the very best to bring you exclusive plug-in offers and content every month.

The ins and outs

Clarett 2Pre offers 10 audio inputs and four outputs, including two front-panel multi-function inputs and a headphone output, plus four rear-panel line outputs (one pair doubling the headphone feed). There are also eight channels of ADAT-format digital input – ideal for adding eight channels of digital mic pre.

Add more I/O without changing your interface - with Clarett OctoPre

Clarett OctoPre lets you add eight additional 'Air'-enabled mic/line preamps - including two front-panel instrument inputs - each with a switched insert for outboard processors, and eight line outputs. Mic pres and A-D/D-A conversion are identical to the rest of the Clarett range. Clarett OctoPre connects to the ADAT light-pipe ports on your Clarett interface - or any system with ADAT I/O. Feed the mic pres to the analogue line outs to drive a live board while you record via the digital outputs. Or drive them from the ADAT inputs to add eight more DAW channels to an analogue mix.

User Guides

Sometimes you just need to see how adding new equipment to your setup is going to work. Find out just how easy it is to get the benefits of Clarett 2Pre, along with some example setup examples and diagrams here.